Lilac Spring

Lilac Spring Read Free Page A

Book: Lilac Spring Read Free
Author: Ruth Axtell Morren
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in her. Not that she hadn’t always been a pretty girl, but now she looked so much like a lady. She wore—He searched for an adequate word. Frock didn’t seem to describe the concoction she wore. It was nothing like the simple schoolgirl dresses and pinafores he’d been accustomed to seeing her in. This gown sported bright blue polka dots on a white background. The skirt was all gathered up in the back and cascaded down in folds like a waterfall. A wide blue sash draped over one side. The rest of the skirt seemed to be all ruffles and pleats. The bodice was the complete opposite, molded tightly to reveal a tiny waist and hourglass figure.
    As soon as she spotted him, she headed straight toward him.
    “Silas, there you are!” Cherish reached out both her hands to his and gave him a wide, welcoming smile. Her dark brown hair was also dressed very differently from the pigtails or ponytail she used to favor. Now it was pulled back, showing a wide creamy forehead, and fell from the top of her head in ringlets. Little dangling earrings shook each time she moved, bringing his attention to her soft pearly earlobes.
    Her eyes gazed up at him now with laughter in their smoky-blue depths.
    “What kept you so long?”
    He shrugged. “I figured you’d have enough folks wanting to welcome you back to keep you busy all evening.”
    She looked around in amusement. “Yes, I suppose I do. It’s wonderful being back home. Come on, let’s go outside. You know everyone, although there are a few acquaintances Papa is expecting from Hatsfield whom he wants me to meet.”
    She linked her arm in his and drew him toward the veranda. They were stopped every few moments by guests wishing to talk to Cherish. Everyone wanted to hear about her European tour. Silas admired how deftly she turned the conversation around, asking instead about the local happenings in her absence.
    They finally reached the veranda.
    “Cherish!” Tom Winslow, a handsome, dark-haired man, hailed his daughter from the drive where he walked alongside a tall young man with a young lady at his side.
    Before Silas could disengage himself, Cherish tugged at his arm, pulling him along with her as she descended the porch steps, where the trio reached them.
    Her father said, “I want you to meet Mr. Warren Townsend from Hatsfield and his sister, Annalise. They’ve driven all the way over especially to welcome you back.”
    Cherish held out her hand first to the sister, a pretty, brown-haired girl, who wore spectacles.
    “Pleased, I’m sure,” Cherish said before turning to the young gentleman. He was at least half a head taller than either Silas or her father and wore a well-cut tweed suit. “Mr. Townsend, welcome to our home.”
    “Annalise and I have heard so much about you from your father that we wanted to make the acquaintance mutual as soon as you came home.”
    Cherish smiled at her father. “Papa has probably exaggerated half the details, but I am grateful for the chance to present myself in person so you may separate fact from fantasy.” She turned to Silas, including him in the group. “This is Silas van der Zee, Papa’s most gifted shipwright.” After shaking hands all around, Silas was content to let Cherish do the talking.
    He marveled to see how the year of finishing school had “finished” her, and the year on the Continent had given her an unmistakable presence. Gone were any remnants of the girl he remembered. He doubted she would be the same Cherish who would be content to get her hands dirty in the boat shop.
    “Well, I’ll let you young people get acquainted,” Mr. Winslow said with a chuckle before moving away from the group.
    “You have just returned from the Continent?” Mr. Townsend asked Cherish.
    “Yes. My year abroad,” she said in a laughing tone that disparaged the event.
    “I was there a few years ago.”
    Cherish’s eyes widened in delight. “Truly? Where did you travel?”
    “London, Paris, Vienna—all the capitals. We

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